Cable Knitting Doesn't Need to Be Intimidating, Newbie Knitters Can Enjoy it Too. Part 2

In Part one of learning to cable I shared what basic cabling is and how to slant your cable left or right. Now it might be a good idea to figure out how to read a cable pattern. As you know, knitting and crochet patterns are written in a unique language. There are a lot of initials and single letters rather than words, as well as numbers hooked to those letters which indicates for you how many times you are going to perform the stitches. So the trick is to just know what those letters stand for or what it wants you to do inside the pattern. And remember this, every pattern actually will give you the instructions as to what any unusual or new initials for that pattern mean and what they mean for you to do. So don't really worry about it. It is not difficult it is just something to get used to and it is basically just common sense. Let me show you.

The instructions would look like this for working a six stitch left twisting cable would look like this:

Sl 3 sts to cn, hold in front, k3, k3 from cn. And the same for right twisting cable except you would hold in the back. Are you getting this?

A little more advanced may look like C3F or C3B which is saying Cable three stitches hold in Front. Or Cable 3 stitches hold in back. It is all the same thing.

Another really cool thing is that when you are cabling you don't do it on every single row. Otherwise you would never get any length on that scarf. No you have rows of knitting or purling in between your cable rows depending on your pattern. The row you actually did the cables is called the turning row. Then you will knit several plain rows and then another turning row. It is all in the pattern.

I have included three videos that I searched out on youtube to show you how to do this if you are a right handed yarn throwing knitter, like me. Or if you are a left handed yarn picking knitter, more continental.

Also the third video tells you all about cable needles. For me, a straight needle works well for me. I don't have a big need to spend money on something extra that I don't even need. But you decide what works for you.

I really do hope you'll give cabling a try. It is really worth your time and to add to your knitting repertoire. Have a look at these free cable patterns, they are small and quick and will get you going on your cabling journey.

YouTube Videos:

Right Handed Yarn Throwing style

Left handed Yarn Picking style (continental)

Different Kinds of Cable Needles plus some cabling

Free Cable Patterns:

Basic Cable Headband

Cabled Napkin Ring

Simple Cable Scarf

Source:

My knitting experience

Knitting for Dummies